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Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) – Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour underlined the need to activate the Higher Agricultural Council which has not met for more than three years now.

Chairing the council’s meeting at the Prime Ministry on Thursday, Ensour said the government is keen to provide all the support that the agricultural sector required in order to ensure its success.

"We should not view the agricultural sector only as a contributor to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the issues of food security and the families that depend on agriculture for living, is far too crucial and should not be dealt with as merely a question of statistics," the prime minister added.

He urged the council to provide every possible support to the agricultural sector, adding that modernization should not prevent the state from supporting this sector.

At the meeting, the council reviewed a host of issues such as engaging private sector institutions in decisions related to export and import of agricultural products and opening new markets for these products in the light of the current situation in Syria.

In this regard, Ensour hailed the response of the Iraqi government to keep the borders open for longer hours to facilitate exports of Jordanian vegetables and fruits.

The council also discussed ways to enhance productivity in the agricultural sector using the Gulf grant given to Jordan in addition to formulating legislation of concern to the agricultural sector.

Agriculture Minister Akef Al Zu'bi said the country and the government certainly have the will to provide all form of support to the agricultural sector and address the challenges facing it.